CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Regional Oversight Committee (ROC) of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs declared Barangay Sto. Rosario Pau in Sto. Tomas town as the first officially drug-cleared barangay after some deliberations and confirmations.

The declaration was done after having successfully completed all the requirements set forth pursuant to the Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation Number 3, Series of 2017.

A village can be declared “drug-cleared” if there is no available drug supply in the area; there is absence of drug transit/transshipment activity; absence of clandestine drug warehouse, chemical warehouse and laboratory; absence of marijuana cultivation site; absence of drug den, drug pushers and dependents; absence of protector, coddler and/or financer; active involvement of barangay officials in anti-illegal drug activities; active involvement of Sangguniang Kabataan to help maintain the drug liberated status of the barangay; existence of drug awareness, preventive education and information, and other related programs; and existence of voluntary and compulsory drug treatment and rehabilitation processing desk.

Pampanga Police Office Director Senior Superintendent Joel Consulta welcomed the development in their fight against illegal drugs in the province.

He said they are doubling up their efforts to make all the villages in the province be declared as drug cleared.

“We are targeting all of the barangays to be declared drug cleared following the parameters of PDEA. Of course, we are inspired to achieve our goals,” he said.

He also explained the difference of past and present declarations. “With the past declarations, it is the Philippine National Police (PNP) that declares the citation to the cleared barangays, while the current declaration underwent various deliberations and confirmations before being declared drug cleared.’’